…Insists FCTA won’t bow to strike threat, vows to defend allocations in court
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has fired back at the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, over its threat to embark on strike following the reallocation of portions of the institution’s land to private developers and government agencies.
Wike, who spoke on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, questioned the union’s authority to challenge land allocation decisions, insisting that land administration in the FCT falls within the statutory powers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“What is the business of ASUU on our land? How is ASUU the owner of land? Is ASUU the owner of the union in Nigeria now? Is it the union’s right?” the minister queried.
He dismissed allegations of land grabbing against the FCTA, arguing that the administration was only carrying out its responsibility to enforce the Abuja Master Plan and ensure that allocated lands were properly utilised.
The minister also faulted the university’s claim to thousands of hectares, questioning why a single institution should retain such an expansive parcel of land without developing it.
Wike maintained that government institutions could not simply hold on to vast areas of land without proper documentation, approvals and evidence of utilisation, stressing that the FCTA would not abandon its statutory responsibilities.
Reacting to ASUU’s threat of industrial action and possible court action, the minister declared that the FCTA was prepared to defend its decision through legal means.
He also cautioned the union against using strike threats to pressure the government, describing such an approach as an attempt to blackmail the administration.
Wike insisted that the recovery and reallocation of unused land would continue, stressing that no institution was above the laws and regulations governing land administration in the FCT.
The face-off followed a recent press conference by ASUU UniAbuja Chairman, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, who warned that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony at the university if the FCT minister failed to reverse the disputed allocations in the Giri District.
ASUU had argued that the 11,824 hectares originally allocated to the university were necessary for its future expansion, agricultural research, infrastructure and other academic development programmes.
The union subsequently threatened to embark on industrial action and challenge the FCTA’s decision in court.
But Wike remained defiant, insisting that the FCTA would not surrender its statutory powers over land administration in the nation’s capital.
